Aircraft Aerostructures Market to reach US$ 82.9 billion in 2024

The aircraft aerostructures market is projected to grow at a healthy rate over the next five years to reach US$ 82.9 billion in 2024. Increasing commercial and regional aircraft deliveries, increasing production rates of the next-generation aircraft (B787 and A350XWB) programs, increasing penetration of composites in aircraft structures, and advancements in the technologies are some major factors that are underpinning the growth of the aircraft aerostructures market.

Aerostructures are the most vital parts of an aircraft. The demand and growth of the aerostructures market are highly governed by commercial aircraft deliveries. Advancements in the design, materials, and processes have assisted the industry to grow faster, meeting airlines’ needs. Aerostructure holds the largest share of more than 30% in the overall aircraft production value, followed by aero-engines, avionics, systems & electronics, and interiors. The growing wealth of emerging economies, which is triggering accessibility to air traffic, is a preeminent factor leading to a rise in passenger traffic or trips per capita across the globe. This, in turn, is leading to the demand for newer aircraft, which is pushing the global aerostructures market.

Aircraft Aerostructures Market, By Aircraft Type

The aircraft aerostructure market is segmented based on the aircraft type as narrow-body aircraft, wide-body aircraft, very large-body aircraft, regional aircraft, general aviation, helicopter, military aircraft, and UAV. Narrow-body aircraft is likely to remain the largest segment of the market during the forecast period. Increasing production rates of the key programs such as B737 and A320 family; market entry of new players such as COMAC and Irkut; and introduction of variants of existing and upcoming aircraft programs such as B737 max, A320neo and COMAC C919, are likely to create a strong demand for aerostructures in the narrow-body aircraft segment. Wide-body aircraft is likely to remain the second-largest segment during the forecast period and is expected to grow at an impressive rate during the forecast period.

Aircraft Aerostructures Market, By Material Type

Based on the material type, the aircraft aerostructures market is segmented as metal aerostructures and composite aerostructures. Metal aerostructure is likely to remain the larger segment, whereas composite aerostructure is likely to witness a higher growth over the next five years. Airliners are aggressively seeking lightweight composite parts/structures that can contribute to their goal of achieving higher fuel efficiency and reducing emissions. This has resulted in an increased demand for composite aerostructures. A350XWB and B787 are the growth engines for composite aerostructures. Fuselage and wings of the A350XWB and B787 programs are the major applications made of composites instead of metals, unlike other aircraft.

Aircraft Aerostructures Market, By Application Type

Based on the application type, the market is segmented as fuselage, wings, empennages, nacelles & pylons, and others. The fuselage is projected to remain the largest application segment of the aircraft aerostructures market during the forecast. Fuselage is the principal component of an aircraft as it covers the main body section of an aircraft. A typical narrow-body aircraft fuselage has a length of about 33.6 meters and a height of about 4 meters. Wings are likely to experience the highest growth in the market due to a gradual shift from metal to composite wings in the modern aircraft models. Upcoming aircraft program B777x is an example of such shift as it has composite wings instead of metal wings.

Aircraft Aerostructures Market, By Region

Based on the region, North America is projected to remain the largest market during the forecast period. The USA is the growth engine of the North American aircraft aerostructures market. The country is the hub of the aerospace industry with the presence of several tier players, aeroengine OEMs, and aircraft OEMs. Asia-Pacific is likely to depict the highest growth during the forecast period. The region is likely to remain the most eye-catching market in the foreseeable future, mainly driven by the upcoming commercial and regional aircraft, such as C919 and MRJ, and the opening of assembly plants in China by Boeing and Airbus, and the largest commercial aircraft fleet size.